Sun.Star: DENR warns of landslides in Baguio

After a landslide hit and almost killed a man in Cebu province, environment authorities in Baguio City warned Wednesday evening of possible disasters in previous landslide sites. Sun-Star Baguio reported that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said landslide sites not fully restored and reforested could pose dangers in the rainy season. MGB regional director Neoman de la Cruz said his technical staff found that subsidence can again occur in the villages of Crystal Cave and Dominican Hill due to disturbed rock formation and loss of forest covers. "With strong rains yet to be experienced next month, home owners should check our office whether they are in a very landslide-prone area so that they can either do corrective measures on the possibility of earth movement or to look for a safer place to stay during the rainy season," Dela Cruz said. He said the findings explain local residents’ observation in the last five years that some portions of those villages appeared to be sinking. De la Cruz said further studies showed other areas that experienced earth movement during previous monsoon rains are also at risk. The MGB said its geological hazard mapping in the area and the rest of the Cordillera region in Northern Luzon should guide the residents on where to build their houses. It should also guide them as well on how to implement erosion-mitigating measures through engineering works. - GMANews.TV